About me – Sophie Lewandowski | Certified instructor in Non-Violent Communication (NVC)

About me

Sophie Lewandowski

Certified instructor in Non-Violent Communication (NVC) A-Certif/CNVC

PhD in Sociology from the EHESS Paris
Researcher in socio-anthropology at the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD)
Trained in Forum Theatre by Augusto Boal
Trained in collective intelligence by Outils-réseau

Training and learning

Since 2003, I have been providing training in a variety of fields to all kinds of audiences in different countries, in French, Spanish or simultaneous translation: researchers, experts, entrepreneurs, teachers, civic or community leaders, elected representatives, technicians, educators, at-home mothers, children and teenagers attending school or living on the streets, farmers, pensioners, therapists, etc. Since 2016, I have been developing a particularly interactive approach: Forum Theatre-NVC. In these training courses, collaborative learning takes place.

Connecting across cultures

I lived and worked for 15 years in Africa and Latin America, and have carried out international assignments in 14 countries on four continents. I remain passionate about the richness of cultural differences… both internationally and from one social group to another in my own country.

Taking action

I have more than twenty years’ experience in social and ecological transition projects in rural and urban environments in Europe, Africa and South America (in international cooperation, the voluntary sector, decentralised cooperation, public services, fablabs, networks, etc.). Today, I’m still involved in action-research projects on environmental issues and discrimination.

Thinking

As a full researcher at the Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) in the Population Environment Development Laboratory (LPED, AMU-IRD) since 2008, I am a specialist in the exchange of knowledge (in education, training, collectives and citizen mechanisms): are they really intercultural? equitable? are they only cerebral or do they also appeal to the sensitive? do they reinforce systemic violence or, on the contrary, the power to act?

Filming, speaking, acting, writing…

I enjoy using a variety of media: films and videos, acting, books and issues of magazines, scientific articles and expert reports, international and national conferences, etc.

Transforming oneself

Interiority is at the heart of the social and ecological transformation I want to experience. For over ten years I’ve been involved in groups where we help each other to understand our own biases, to be vigilant about our blind spots and to move forward from a place of peace and availability. I also practise at home, as I’m the mother and stepmother of two sets of twins!